Anyway, back to Strictly and our Thriller of an evening ahead…

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Cha Cha Cha

I haven’t seen any training footage this week so I’m going into all these routines blind, should make it interesting!

Never thought I’d see a Cha Cha Cha to the Scooby Doo theme tune. For me Dani feels like she’s doing too good an impression of Velma through this routine, it feels very introverted and careful, which is a shame as it seems to show some promise at the start.

Dani looks unsteady on her feet at times, though there is a lot of choreography in the routine which she pulls off generally with aplomb.

It didn’t really excite me though and so I’m only giving them a 6 for this week’s performance.

Craig: 6 “Clean, fantastic spins, very fast footwork…you must extend through your lines…accentuate those finishes…very late with your arms in the first New York”
Darcey: 6 “That was amazing…[Craig] you’re wrong…with that speed you got so much in there”
Len: 8 “If that dance was food it would be a sausage sandwich: tasty, satisfying & sets you up for the day ahead…I thought it was terrific”
Bruno: 7 “It was really spirited fun…nice & tight footwork…sometimes you tend to tighten up a bit”

Total = 27

Richard Arnold & Erin Boag – Paso Doble

So Richard, the campest contestant on the show, has to dance the masculine Paso Doble…this should be interesting.

Ah the Strictly fallback, cape-work in Paso. Richard actually doesn’t look too bad doing it, though his upper body is just a little bit too stiff.

He’s certainly got the facial expressions down, but I can’t help drawing comparisons with a Bobbler Head Toy as he’s dancing towards the camera. Richard is trying for the aggression but it does still feel a little camp at times.

The main problem is with his posture, he needs to keep his shoulders down and stretch out more…oh and keep his bottom in! A better Paso then I expected from Richard, quite possibly his best dance, but just a 6 for me

Craig: 5 “Cape work at the top was very good…needs to be a lot more earthed…needs a lot more arch…spot on your turns…I’m disappointed”
Darcey: 5 “You definitely were spooky…worked very hard…need more [tilt in the hips]…clench your bottom muscles”
Len: 7 “You great big butch bull fighter…right into character…got to get those tight buttocks”
Bruno: 5 “The drama…you’re like Gary Newman in a temper…posture and timing weren’t quite there…execution not as refined as it should have been…shoulders have to be down”

Total = 22

Lisa & Robin – Charleston

Another dance that allows Robin & Lisa to jump around waving arms and shaking their ‘thang’, I expect another entertaining performance, but I do fear for her once they have to start doing some more traditional dances.

Lisa needs a bit more swivel in her actual Charleston basics, though at this speed that would be a bit more difficult.

I can’t say that I enjoyed this performance as much as some of her previous ones, though the part where she ‘flips’ Robin into a cartwheel was interesting.

I think Lisa and Robin need to start showing us some variations in the theme…or at least a bit more actual dancing would be nice. Not her best and I’m going to be controversial and give her a 5 (my Emma agrees with me!)

Craig: 6 “Acted well but danced poorly…no cross whatsoever…swivel on your left foot was not happening at all…otherwise it’s not a Charleston”
Darcey: 6 “Fastest Charleston that I’ve ever seen…pulled it off ‘just’…did give me back your spring and your energy”
Len: 7 “Fun, speedy, lots of energy…a parody of a Charleston”
Bruno: 7 “Going at it like a spinning banshee…facial aerobics…nobody would ever be scared of you because you’re so much fun…God it’s enjoyable to watch”

Total = 26

Sid Owen & Ola Jordan – Cha Cha Cha

A Cha Cha to Ghostbusters…

What’s with the awful breakdancing at the start, the exit looks a complete mess as Ola steps over Sid’s prone self.

I’m sorry Sid but Latin just really isn’t your strong point. The slow locks at the start are painful to watch and I can’t help feeling like they’re out of time.

He mucks up his footwork quite a few times and skips throughout his chassés. The gratuitous hip action is too OTT and his arms are often held a little too high – keep it below the shoulders and try to think about what you’re doing with your fingers too.

I like Sid as a person, but his dancing feels like it’s getting worse. I appreciate they couldn’t train that much this week due to Ola’s mum having a heart attack but I can’t really give this more than a 4 I’m afraid.

Craig: 2 “Halloween nightmare”
Darcey: 5 “Fabulous to see more dance content…don’t worry about going wrong…I want to see that cheeky Sid that we love”
Len: 5 “It’s all too safe…take risks…if you’re going to go down, go down fighting…get out there and give it some”
Bruno: 5 “You have to break the spell…lacked detail, power and accuracy…you proved a few weeks back that you can do it, get back there”

Total = 17

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Tango

Nicky really does like playing the part…though the pointing section at the beginning looks awkward as Nicky tries to negotiate the stairs.

Nicky still has a problem with stomping at the start, we want staccato Nicky. I don’t understand the flicking/leg kicking/twitching section. It’s definitely weird [they danced to Weird Science], and it feels more like a Tango than say Sid’s from last week, but I’m kind of unsure how I feel about it.

A 6 from me.

Craig: 6 “You need to sort your posture out…picking your feet up way too much…but I really liked the routine”
Darcy: 6 “Entertaining all round…you lift the knees so it looks like you’re marching…narrative”
Len: 7 “Far more good than bad…stomped a bit with your footwork…sharp, crisp…got through it”
Bruno: 7 “Went at it like a rooster with a booster…don’t forget it’s still a Tango”

Total = 26

Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev – American Smooth

Well seeing as Artem’s been pretty much dancing an American Smooth in every Ballroom dance this shouldn’t be too hard for them!

Unfortunately Fern looks to have a slight slip on the stairs, and then starts out of time – saved by the first lift coming straight afterwards.

I can’t say the song makes me want to Foxtrot…not that Artem has choreographed more than 7 bars of actual Foxtrot (half of the requirement for this dance really) and of which 3-4 bars were lines anyway.

Fern’s arms are too high at points, and they really should be mirroring each other in the side-by-side sections. I still feel that Artem is avoiding giving Fern too much actual dancing. I can only assume that he doesn’t think she’s capable of it, but I’m hoping the judges let him know that if he wants Fern to progress he needs to start actually teaching her to dance, not just pose.

A disappointing routine, not within the rules for length of time in hold, I’m only giving them a 4 I’m afraid.

Craig: 4
Darcy: 5 “For me it was smooth…I like the bad queen in you…when you’re picked up don’t lift the shoulders”
Len: 6 “Neat and precise…hasn’t got the WOW…Artem you’ve got to push Fern more…I would’ve loved to have seen your feet together [in the heel turn]”
Bruno: 6 “A bit too nicey-nicey, too beige for me…didn’t have the impact that it should have had”

Total = 21

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Cha Cha Cha

Denise’s first spin looks messy and i’m not sure on the hip rolls at the start. Denise needs to keep her shoulders down and I’m not seeing much hip action.

There seems to be a mistake after Denise walks around James but it’s well covered if it is. It’s not their most polished performance, with a few uncomfortable looking sections and some missed parts.

Denise needs to really develop her hip action and keep those shoulders down. Just a 6 from me (though part of me does wonder if this was calculated to get some audience sympathy after all the ‘she can already dance she shouldn’t be in this competition’…).

Craig: 7 “Leg to hip action was a little bit jolty…timing superb…energy, spins brilliant”
Darcy: 7
Len: 7 “You never disappoint…if you’re going to wear a short skirt you’ve got to have really fabulous leg action…wasn’t quite as crisp as I’d have like it”
Bruno: 7 “Kinky & slinky…the most theatrical parts went very well…but it’s the basics…really need to work on that”

Total = 28

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – Quickstep

I think Michael is going to have a better week this week, now he’s back to Ballroom.

Has a tendency to lift his shoulder at times, especially in promenade, which he needs to control.

Quick moving feet and a much softer action than, say, Nicky’s from last week. Slightly off balance at the first throwaway oversway but recovers well. His pendulum swings are really quite impressive.

Needs to watch his hands in the ending but by far his best performance, and the best dance of the night so far, an 8.

Craig: 8 “[Claps, much to Michael’s jubilation]”
Darcy: 8 “Ballroom is your thing…hold all the way through was beautiful…tired a little at the end…feet light, precise, no messy transitions”
Len: 8 “Last week you were so close to going out of the competition…I’m so glad you didn’t”
Bruno: 7 “More than magical, it was a miracle…in hold you were just incredible…what a transformation”

Total = 31, current top of the leader board

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole – Tango

Even though you’re crouching Victoria, make sure you don’t let your shoulders rise too much.

Come on Victoria, this is looking good don’t make a mistake…bugger I have literally just jinxed her but she recovers much better than previously!

Slightly stompy in places, Victoria needs to make sure she doesn’t pick her feet up off the floor, there should always be some part of the foot in contact with the floor.

Surprise, surprise, Brendan keeps her in hold and Victoria actually dances really well.

Without doubt her best performance. Needs to work on her posture still but starting to show some of the potential she’s capable of. I’m going to give her a 7 for this one.

Craig: 7 “Lost a little bit of posture…really thought the routine was brilliant”
Darcy: 8 “Wonderful to see that fight in you…true Tango woman of the night”
Len: 8 “This was a proper Tango…sharp & crisp…there was a little moment…but I don’t care”
Bruno: 8 “Teen beauty with a hint of madness…I absolutely loved it”

Total = 31, joint highest with Michael…who’d have thunk it…

Colin Salmon & Kristina Rihanoff – Salsa

“I’m playing a wizard, and Kristina my cat” any excuse to put her into a catsuit I imagine.

Ok so it’s not a catsuit!

The dismount from the first lift is a bit dodgy, and Colin has some strange hand movements during the solo cucaracha sections. As my Emma puts it, it’s a bit like dad dancing.

A few mistakes start to creep in, but (as is usually the case with Kristina’s routines), it goes from one lift to the next. They’re impressive lifts but it just doesn’t feel like enough of a Salsa for me.

He’s got rhythm, there’s no doubting that, but I’m only giving them a 6 this week.

Craig: 5 “Need to concentrate a little bit more on your footwork…looked a bit messy…very flat footed…do have that disco groove going on”
Darcy: 7 “I liked the long arms…wasn’t a dirty salsa, but it was definitely a saucy salsa”
Len: 6 “It had a lovely rhythmic tick…but there was a major incident…if it was just a small mistake”
Bruno: 6

Total = 24

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Tango

Louis’ head position is looking much better this week, and his lack of facial expression is actually fitting for this characterisation.

It’s sharp and has attack, and it looks like Louis is leading…though he does drop his arms at times. A nice use of his gymnastic abilities at the ending.

Rivals Michael for the best dance of the night so far, an 8 from me.

Craig: 8 “Ineffable darling…I loved it…however your thumb bothered me [sticking up]”
Darcey: 9 “Wonderful beginning, great end, but even more fabulous middle…just watch it in the kicks, you musn’t have a higher leg than your girl…best Tango of the night”
Len: 9 “Wish I could have another look at that, it was fabulous”
Bruno: 9 “Really was a Tango with a bite…first killer Tango of the season”

Total = 35, first nines of the series and puts them on top, just Kimberley & Pasha with the opportunity to knock them off

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Paso Doble

I can see Paso steps but it’s not really feeling like a Paso for me. There’s quite a few slips and messy parts from Kimberley too.

A strange routine, and a strange song, it just didn’t do it for me this week and yet another 6 from me this evening

Craig: 8 “Fiery, punchy, fantastic shaping”
Darcey: 8 “Intensity…sold it for me…generally very very nice”
Len: 7 “It was a very confident performance…I would’ve liked a tad more aggression…once you got into the dance, lovely”
Bruno: 8 “It was a bit like Twilight at times…beauty and the beast…lines were excellent…very well danced”

Total = 31, well there’s always at least one dance that the judges and I don’t see eye-to-eye on!

It’s been a fairly low scoring week this week (from both me and the judges), that puts the final leader board (my score in brackets) as:

1. 35 – Louis & Flavia [8]
2. 31 – Michael & Natalie [8]
2. 31 – Victoria & Brendan [7]
2. 31 – Kimberley & Pasha [6]
5. 28 – Denise & James [6]
6. 27 – Dani & Vincent [6]
7. 26 – Lisa & Robin [5]
7. 26 – Nicky & Karen [6]
9. 24 – Colin & Kristina [6]
10. 22 – Richard & Erin [6]
11. 21 – Fern & Artem [4]
12. 17 – Sid & Ola [4]

Sid is definitely the worst dancer of the night, Fern is let down by the choreography, but I think Richard could be in trouble tonight.

The first couples safe were as follows:

Louis & Flavia
Victoria & Brendan
Kimberley & Pasha
Lisa & Robin
Michael & Natalie

First couple in the dance off is Sid & Ola

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Judges taking part in the Thriller opener…except for Len
• Len singing along to The Witch Doctor
• Lisa flipping Robin
• Louis’ final back-flip…Darcy’s reaction…can’t describe it
• Richard’s Paso facial expressions
• Bruno’s reaction to seeing Michael’s dancing transformation
• Brucie going Gangnam Style, then Tess joining in

Other couples safe are:

Richard & Erin
Dani & Vincent
Denise & James
Nicky & Karen

That leaves Colin & Kristina, or Fern & Artem as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Sid & Ola in the dance off is Colin & Kristina.

Out of these two Sid should really be going home but there’s still the dance off with the potential to save them.

Sid & Ola – Cha Cha Cha

Ah so that’s almost how that first breakdance move was supposed to look!

It’s a better performance than their first one, Sid definitely wants to stay in this competition.

Colin & Kristina – Salsa

Colin makes a bit of a hash of it midway through but overall not a bad performance.

Judges Votes

Craig: Colin “This couple were more dynamic, and simply better dancers”
Darcey: Colin “They both performed so much better”
Len: Sid “No I didn’t agree, I would’ve saved Sid & Ola, [Colin went wrong in the exact same point and it’s a big mistake”
Bruno: Colin “It’s good to see that both switched up a gear”

Sid: 1
Colin: 3

Going Home: Sid Owen

Sid: “I’ve loved every minute of it…thanks to Ola…she’s a hard task-master…I can feel confident going out now and having a little dance”

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 4 "Halloween" appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Can Richard keep out of the dance-off this week, and will Louis & Denise still be vying for the top spot. Read on to find out.

Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev – Charleston

Funky graphics to start, and a very nice outfit. They’re dancing to ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ from Mary Poppins.

I keep waiting for the Charleston to start and it just never really feels like it gets off the ground. There’s a brief section of basic Charleston but it feels on the whole like just more faffing from these two.

The part where Fern passes through Artem’s legs whilst doing the splits was quite impressive but on the whole a fairly uninspiring dance, I really feel like we’ve not seen anywhere near Fern’s potential yet.

For me only a 5 I’m afraid, not enough content.

Craig: 5 “It needed a bit more swivel in your Charleston…like to see cleaner footwork…whole thing was laboured…back jazz split [was brilliant]”
Darcy: 6 “The energy was so much better…you can be my kids Mary Poppins any day”
Len: 6 “You’ve made Hollywood into Jolly-good…it was fun, it was entertaining…I’d have liked to have seen more Charleston”
Bruno: 6 “Prim, proper and extremely nice…you’ve got to pump it a bit more…characterisation good…not so hazy”

Total = 23

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole – Rumba

These guys have ‘Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong’ from An Officer and A Gentleman.

Is that a slight dress mishap during the initial dip…yep definitely as the standing drag results in Brendan having to grab large handfuls of the dress and pull it away from her shoes…though we do get an interesting bum shot in the process!

The routine seems to lack a lot of basic Rumba, moving from one line to the next with very jerky transitions and this dress is causing them a complete nightmare.

It felt less like a Rumba and more like a teenagers awkward attempt at a first slow dance. Three weeks in a row of poor performances, albeit a large majority of this week’s could possibly be attributed to the dress malfunction, I don’t think Victoria can progress much further if they don’t start pulling out some better performances.

Another disappointing week they’re going to need the audience to lift them up…but I’m not sure it’s to where they belong! I’m going to give them a 4, she did the best she could with the dress situation but the choreography wasn’t great and there were still errors creeping in.

Craig: 4 “I’m beginning to see an actress emerging which is fantastic…it was your fault with the chiffon [on your arms]…you are improving and it’s wonderful to see”
Darcy: 5 “You look beautiful…there were some sensual moves…practice with paper between your fingers [to improve the hands]”
Len: 7 “It was a bit wobbly…keep working like this…you are a bit unstable here and there…I think you did really well”
Bruno: 6 “Just when you were starting to sizzle…you were really going for it, then you got yourself into a mangle…lost concentration then it fizzled out”

Total = 22, sorry Len you’re over-marking here.

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – Cha Cha

There’s a suggestion Michael intends to strip during ‘Hot Stuff’ from Full Monty…well I suppose he has to try something to get the votes in!

It looks like Natalie’s taken the one move he’d ‘mastered’ from Jive and just introduced it into the Cha Cha, and again he manages to go out of time.

I’ll give him some dues, there is some Cha Cha now mixed in with the ‘Salsa’ but it’s messy and all over the place. The best part was Michael almost falling off the chair at the end.

He’s developing some decent hip action at times, and it’s a massive improvement on last week, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him languishing near the bottom by the end of the show. A 4 from me on this one too I’m afraid.

Craig: 3 “Hot it was not…timing issues throughout…awkward all the way through…I suspect Latin is not going to be your dance”
Darcy: 6 “I was so much happier with your performance…the timing was out…top and lower body were now at least connected…you give your all”
Len: 6 “There was an odd moment were you maybe lost a bit of timing…straightening your leg…good hip action on your cucarachas”
Bruno: 4 “I was waiting for the Full Monty to distract me from the total lack of musicality…you have to listen to the music…it was nearly a disaster at the end…you do the Full Manic!”

Total = 19

Jerry & Anton – Quickstep

Whatever you say about her dancing, Jerry does have a certain charm about her.

The dress isn’t a good look for Jerry at the start and there’s a few hiccups throughout. The frame is looking a lot better with fewer instances on her encroaching in Anton’s space.

It’s a bit too soft for my liking and she still looks like she’s being thrown around at times but definitely an improvement on last week. I’m going to give her a 5.

Craig: 3 “The whole would’ve been better behind the screen…posture, posture, posture!”
Darcey: 6 “The Quickstep suits you…must not fade [by the end]…but I liked it…so much better”
Len: 5 “It was a bit Upstairs, Downstairs…Upstairs there’s still a few problems…Downstairs you’re quite neat and tidy…” Len couldn’t really finish talking after this faux pas!
Bruno: 4

Total = 18, same as last week which I think is a shame as there was definitely improvement this week.

Sid Owen & Ola Jordan – Salsa

I’m sorry but is this supposed to be a Tango? A really bad song choice for a Tango if you ask me…great song otherwise ‘Here I Go Again’ from Rock of Ages.

The start is ridiculous and the actual Tango is soft and lacks any attack. Tango shouldn’t feature any rise and fall but Sid is bobbing around all over the place with a face devoid of any emotion.

In line with my expectations after seeing training footage I’m afraid, a 5 for me and that may be being generous.

Craig: 4 “Stompy, clumpy, clompy”
Darcey: 4
Len: 5 “I don’t know about Rock of Ages, it took ages to get started…once you did it wasn’t too bad but there was no staccato…it wasn’t sharp enough”
Bruno: 4 “Les Dawson trying to be Van Halen…lot of headbanging but once you got into the Tango it wasn’t good”

Total = 17

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Quickstep

Their song is ‘Get Happy’ from Summer Stock.

Now this is looking more like a Quickstep. A slight mishap near the stage but well recovered and a lovely smile most of the way through.

The best dance so far of the night, I’m going to give them a 7.

Craig: 7
Darcey: 7 “Great attack…beautiful light steps…worked on your top half and core”
Len: 7 “I liked it…it was light…she’s getting too far over on your right hand side…but I liked it a lot, such an improvement, well done!”
Bruno: 8 “Now we are in business…beauty, glamour, light, lovely…wonderful”

Total = 29

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Foxtrot

Denise and James’ song is ‘You’ve got a friend in me’ from Toy Story.

A very nice start but Denise still needs to watch her footwork at times, still looks like she’s failing to lead with her heel and I couldn’t see her releasing her toes when she walks back.

Great characterisation throughout and it’s generally a very good dance but the footwork still needs work so only a 7 from me this week.

Craig: 8 “Great posture, great control, beautifully acted and beautifully danced”
Darcy: 8 “You can dance…beautifully clean turns…just watch you don’t get too comfortable…very elegant couple”
Len: 8 “I’m giving you a verbal pat on the back…that was excellent…nice posture, well done”
Bruno: 8 “You’re made for each other…set up the story so well…so smooth and gliding…it was great”

Total = 32, evidently the Strictly cameramen have let me down this week!

Colin Salmon & Kristina Rihanoff – Argentine Tango

Funnily enough Colin is dancing to a Bond theme, ‘Goldeneye’ from…you guessed it…Goldeneye

You can feel the emotion of the dance right from the start, and this dance is definitely better suited to their height difference. I’m still not sure if he should be dragging his right foot round like he is in the spins, it looks like he’s forgotten it’s behind him.

The dip that Colin almost dropped Kristina in during training is coming up…manages it perfectly, though the entrance into the standing spin lift is a little clunky.

A nice ending and not a bad performance, especially considering how little time they’ve had to rehearse. Just a 6 for me though, probably too early in the series for an Argentine Tango if you ask me.

Craig: 7 “Full of authority and dominance…adored the lifts…they weren’t easy…fantastic”
Darcy: 7 “I would’ve like to have seen a much dirtier spy…take more risks”
Len: 6 “More shaken than stirred really…you acted it out…for me there wasn’t quite enough Argentine Tango going on”
Bruno: 6 “It would be nice to see you do a bit more dancing”

Total = 26

Richard Arnold & Erin Boag – Quickstep

Richard’s song is ‘9 to 5’ from 9 to 5

Already a much better performance than last week, though I’m seeing far to much of Richard’s chest, he needs to keep Erin a bit more to the left at times.

The vent doll look is back in this week it seems and he’s a little late getting into a few of the moves. The pivots look a little awkward near the end and it lacks a bit of pizzazz so only a 6 from me.

Craig: 6 “I didn’t mind it actually…nimble footwork…well done”
Darcey: 7 “Your best dance so far…when you get tired make sure your weight doesn’t go back on your heels”
Len: 6 “It was bright, it was lively…a little bit mincy in the footwork on occasion”
Bruno: 6 “I was expecting a full-out Dollywood…but it was good…frame was better, footwork was better…just enough comedy at the beginning”

Total = 25

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Foxtrot

‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ from The Wizard of Oz is Dani’s song.

I do like Dani’s poise and arms movements. The footwork looks a little laboured at times and she needs to keep in contact with the floor when she’s not doing those actual kicks.

No idea why they have the dog at the end though.

A nice performance with room for improvement, another 6 I think.

Craig: 7 “I loved the routine…turns are lovely and clean…still a habit of looking down at the floor…keep stretching”
Darcey: 6 “Always surprise me…control in your gliding…it was smooth…keep working hard”
Len: 8 “That was great”
Bruno: 8 “It was so pretty…romantic, sweet, I really loved it”

Total = 29

Lisa & Robin – Jive

‘Hanky Panky’ from Dick Tracy is their Jive this week.

Lisa’s definitely looking to bring out her sexy side, and I think she’s managing it. It’s definitely a fast song but somehow the dance itself doesn’t seem as fast as the training videos.

Robin almost has a slip in front of the judges which could’ve caused an issue if he hadn’t recovered as quickly as he did. I think Lisa just makes a slight mistake near the end but it’s really difficult to tell so it was well covered if it was.

Not sure on the leapfrog at the end though.

I think Lisa just started to tire near the end (unsurprisingly) but it was a fast and fun Jive and well deserving of a 7 this week. Just could’ve had a little more Jive content.

Craig: 8 “I get very excited watching you darling…that was brilliant”
Darcey: 6 “Lisa you never fail to entertain…was missing the spring and bounce in that Jive, you can do it, it was just missing”
Len: 7 “Great big bundle of joy…plenty of hanky panky…captured the feeling, not always the technique”
Bruno: 8 “You’re a spunky lady…vibrancy, vitality…I love watching you”

Total = 29

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Quickstep

They’re dancing to the dance theme from The Mask, and Nicky’s definitely acting the part authentically.

His posture is awful though, hunched up, and the feet are placed far to aggressively for a Quickstep. He barely brings his feet together during the scatter chassés which makes them look incredibly stompy. Also has bent knees throughout which affects his rise and fall.

Much better than last week but still a way off most of the Quicksteps from tonight. I’m going to give him a 6 though.

Craig: 6 “You’re starting to win me over…amazing job really”
Darcy: 7 “Loved the energy, loved the attack…you were having fun on that dance floor…little bit of bounce in the shoulders…so much of an improvement”
Len: 7 “This week full of life…virtually never straighten your legs…I liked it”
Bruno: 7 “You need a mask every day…very good Quickstep…leading with conviction”

Total = 27

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Salsa

Dirty Dancing, complete with lift, to ‘Time Of My Life’; this could be amazing, or a catastrophe!

The trouble they’re going to have is that everyone who’s seen the film KNOWS this dance, and that’s quite an expectation to live up to.

There’s a better connection between them during this dance than we’ve seen previously, but I do wonder how long before we see Louis going to ‘acting’ school to help with his performances.

Great splits during the jump off the stage.

It’s a good representation of the dance from the film, I’d like to see more hip action in the general dancing, not just the highlighted moments. However anyone that can pull off that final lift deserves an 8 in my book.

Craig: 8 “Contained, simmering, understated…it was fantastic”
Darcey: 8 “I saw a spark of emotion lit between you and Flavia…Salsa has to be freer…beautifully done [the lift at the end], amazing!”
Len: 6 “I thought you did the lifts excellently well…the actual Salsa lacked a bit of attack…a little bit timid”
Bruno: 8 “I thought you were smooth…iconic lift done wonderfully…I think you’re great”

Total = 30, how can you give that a 6?

So that puts the final leader board (my score in brackets):

1. 32 – Denise & James [7]
2. 30 – Louis & Flavia [8]
3. 29 – Lisa & Robin [7]
3. 29 – Kimberley & Pasha [7]
3. 29 – Dani & Vincent [6]
6. 27 – Nicky & Karen [6]
7. 26 – Colin & Kristina [6]
8. 25 – Richard & Erin [6]
9. 23 – Fern & Artem [5]
10. 22 – Victoria & Brendan [4]
11. 19 – Michael & Natalie [4]
12. 18 – Jerry & Anton [5]
13. 17 – Sid & Ola [5]

Hard to call this week, I think Michael should be the one to go. Jerry was unlucky not to have scored a little higher though.

If you’re ready for the results…read on!

We saw Top Hat earlier in the year thanks to one of our students and we very much enjoyed it, it’s good to see Tom Chambers is still dancing.

Half surprised not to see Brucie jumping out to join in…but then it’s the Sunday night show (recorded on Saturday night) so he’s obviously gone home to bed by this point!

The first couples safe were as follows:

Kimberley & Pasha
Louis & Flavia
Nicky & Karen
Sid & Ola
Colin & Kristina
Dani & Vincent

First couple in the dance off is Jerry & Anton

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• ‘Toto’ shaking himself, wonderful kicks!
• Len being booed…Bruno’s facial reaction
• Darcey ‘on the phone’? Or just talking to the producer…?
• Craig as the Tin Man, with a critique from Bruno

Other couples safe are:

Denise & James
Fern & Artem
Lisa & Robin
Victoria & Brendan

That leaves Michael & Natalie, or Richard & Erin as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Jerry & Anton in the dance off is Michael & Natalie.

Out of these two Michael should really be going home but there’s still the dance off with the potential to save them.

Jerry & Anton – Quickstep

Her frame looks worse in this dance-off, and she needs to concentrate more on the dance and less on singing the song.

Feels like a lack of energy in this second performance, but she should be safe unless Michael pulls off a blinder!

Michael & Natalie – Cha Cha

Unfortunately he can’t even strip in time with the music this time. The timing swings between in time, and marginally out, but I think he’s going home.

Judges Votes

Craig: Michael “For me, this couple improved slightly, and were a little bit better, which was encouraging. The couple I would like to save is Michael and Natalie”
Darcey: Michael “Both couples have improved so much over the last few weeks. It is so hard to take it on this one performance, because nerves got hold of both of them. I have to save Michael and Natalie”
Len: Michael “To be honest, neither couple impressed me. The pressure got to both of them. Jerry’s routine was full of mistakes. Michael’s routine went in and out of time. This is a really difficult, difficult decision for me. This is so close, but I’m going to save Michael and Natalie”
Bruno: Jerry “Well I actually thought that both couples were very, very nervous tonight. I thought they actually didn’t improve. There were mistakes, lack of rhythm, timing, and by a whisker I’m going to save Jerry and Anton.”

Michael: 3
Jerry: 1

Going Home: Jerry Hall; a surprise maybe, but it was always going to be close between them after that dance-off.

Jerry: “I’ve had a lot of fun, it’s been great…I loved dancing with Anton”

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 3 "Hollywood" appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Sid Owen & Ola Jordan

Sid was quite happy with the results, he was more worried that he wasn’t going to complete the lifts.

His hands were ringing with sweat the longer it took for their names to be read out.

A clip of Bruno’s facial expressions during their dance.

Zoe: “The judges thought you run out of energy…Ola how did you think it went?”
Ola: “I think it went well…ok the timing went off a bit…he didn’t drop me”
Sid: “It’s so different in the studio…in training you’re rehearsing to the original [song]”

Some training footage mostly consisting of Sid screaming, shouting and generally bashing into things. Then some footage of their Tango training which isn’t looking too bad, though his right shoulder is creeping forward and he needs to relax his shoulders more.

Sid plans to do a back somersault into the splits this week…thankfully he’s just joking!

Wednesday Warm Up

Ian Waite on early training footage:

Dani & Vincent’s Foxtrot

Quite a nice heel turn together with the feet, toes were in the air, I’d like to see that a little flatter…lovely lines

Jerry & Anton’s Quickstep

Anton’s given her some very complicated footwork…Jerry needs to get her hips under, and her body away

Kimberley & Pasha’s Quickstep

She’s a great dancer, just don’t feel we’ve seen the best of her yet…close her hips to her partner

Denise & James’s Foxtrot

Very very good heel turn…she’s got impeccable footwork…needs to get her hips underneath and extend from the waist

Lisa & Robin’s Jive

Lots of gesticulations, like their Cha Cha…I’d have liked to have seen more Cha Cha steps…they’re doing more Jive steps in this routine…wearing her boots, needs to wear her dance shoes…everything’s flat footed

Fern & Artem’s Charleston

This is a dance made for her…lovely synchronised legs, synchronised hands…they look very matched

Sid & Ola’s Tango

He’s doing very well…struggling a little bit with the Viennese crosses…he assures me he’s got them sorted now

Colin & Kristina’s Argentine Tango

Just one day of rehearsals [Colin is filming in Canada]…I’d like him to stretch his leg out and point his toe

Richard & Erin’s Quickstep

Some lovely Charleston steps…shoulder line isn’t so great…shoulders up, I’d like him to bring his shoulders down and lift his right elbow

Louis & Flavia’s Salsa

He’s loosening up…the main area is his waist…I think he needs to relax his hips…bring his personality out

Michael & Natalie’s Cha Cha Cha

I know how hard they work, cos Natalie’s my professional partner…it’s a shame he doesn’t have the natural talent of some of the others…needs to keep his hands facing the floor

Nicky & Karen’s Quickstep

He keeps losing his frame, needs to pick up his elbows…he needs to maintain a frame and look elegant, he’s stomping through the steps

Jerry Hall & Anton Du Beke

Zoe: “Are you happy with the scores?”
Jerry: “NO, I think it was unfair…I didn’t make any foot mistakes”

Zoe: “Do you think they’re expecting too much in week two?”
Anton: “I don’t really know what they’re after…what do they want more of?…everything you could want from start to finish”

Jerry: “This week we’re working on the posture”
Anton: “We’re not doing any steps…we’re just going to walk perfectly in posture”

Anton: “I don’t know what they’re talking about, I’d rather they didn’t speak”

Jerry: “All these ladies in the audience waving at Anton, I felt like an accessory”

Some quotes from “The Jerry Hall Dictionary”, from Strictly clips

…I’m more of a Marvin Gaye kind of girl…Translation: not that fast
…like butter dripping off a hot corn…Translation: a nice man
…ride me with a tight rein…Translation: let’s not dilly dally
…My memory, I’m bad at short term but good at long term…Translation: What’s your name again?
…If you’re looking for a stallion you don’t look in the donkey corral…Translation: I wish I got Brendan

Zoe: “How is the Quickstep going?”
Jerry: “It’s lovely…it’s a joyful fun dance”

Zoe: “Do you mind her taking charge?”
Anton: “No I prefer it, I don’t really know what I’m doing”

Jerry: “We’ve got a little bedroom scene!”

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole

Zoe: “Ten points up on your first week you must have been thrilled?”
Victoria: “I was, so happy, just to get through the routine and not make it a complete disaster (except for the turn at the beginning!)”

Zoe: “Were you any less nervous this week?”
Victoria: “Definitely when you’re in hold it gives you a lot more confidence”
Brendan: “That security brings them alive”

Zoe: “Great comments from the judges…have you started to believe in yourself?”
Victoria: “No not yet, please just get through another week and maybe I’ll start to”

Brendan: “Victoria’s Foxtrot blew me away…I finished the dance thinking ‘what a blooming star'”

A quick VT of Victoria fireman-lifting Brendan then performing squats, much to Jerry’s distress

Zoe: “You’re doing the Rumba this week, it’s quite a sexy dance…how are you finding it?”
Victoria: “It’s just a little bit embarassing at times…I’m really looking forward to it”

They’ve brought in an exercise bike for Brendan to jump on and Victoria to have a go at training him for a change…Brendan almost looks a bit like Bradley Wiggins…

Wow I’m almost up-to-date there! Anyway, time to go teach, more updates tomorrow.

The post It Takes Two – Wednesday 17th October 2012 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Sat down on Sunday night to watch when we got home so stay tuned for the analysis:

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Cha Cha Cha

I am not sure about the timing of that start, did he completely jump the gun or just get it all wrong with the clicking…I thought that was Westlife’s speciality?

Hands look far too feminine as he walks toward the camera and it looks like he’s counting as he marks time on the spot. Not liking the choreography so far if I’m honest. Nicky looks like he’s flinging parts of his body round with no thought of control and the jacket is emphasising his raised shoulders.

On the plus side he’s certainly putting all his energy into the routine and the persona of the dance.

Unfortunately it does just feel like the energy lacks the control to make the moves look good.

Nicky goes out of time slightly in the middle section but it’s such a difficult routine to stay in time, due to all the extended pausing.

I really disliked this dance I’m afraid and the whole thing felt very messy and more hip-hop than Cha Cha. I’m going to give him a 5 for effort but Karen’s really got to up her game I feel.

Craig: 4 “Bit like a Zumba exercise class…very flat footed…some rotation in the hip department…energy was great”
Darcy: 5 “There was confidence, there was attitude, which was great…sadly wasn’t enough Cha Cha”
Len: 4 “I’m a traditionalist…it was too much boyband dancing and not enough Cha Cha Cha…very little that I could rave about”
Bruno: 5 “I thought tonight you were much more switched on…it was a little bit Take That 1995…you lost timing completely at the end…performance wise I thought it went in the right direction”

Total = 18, about right I think

Colin Salmon & Kristina Rihanoff – Viennese Waltz

I do like this track as a Viennese Waltz. Colin’s posture is looking very nice, though he has to try to make sure he doesn’t flick his hands up at the end of movements – need to keep it below wrist height really Colin.

Unfortunately as soon as they get into hold the perils of the height difference become apparent as Colin’s bum goes straight into ‘sit down’ position. To combat this I think Kristina’s brought in more sections out of hold, but for me a dance that could have been excellent has been marred by the foolish decision to pair them together.

A brilliant potential dancer let down by an ill-matched partnership, I’m afraid he ‘bottoms out’ for me at 6, when I really wanted to give him more

Craig: 6 “You did hit some very nice lines throughout…double hand flicking…very odd…too much rise and fall…dancing more to your height, good to see”
Darcy: 6 “You do have the perfect frame, so elegant…have got to watch you don’t stoop…lift the chin, not just the eyes”
Len: 6 “Step out more and it was a tad timid…elegance, sophistication…no stoop for me…move more”
Bruno: 6 “Nice and extended long lines…in hold it needed more drive…don’t lean forward…a bit careful for me”

Total = 24

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Salsa

It’s a weird, but catchy song, and an unusual start.

A fast and intricate start but Dani must remember not to forget her free arm at times. Not personally happy with the choice of lifts as they don’t make Dani look particularly elegant but the difficulty of the routine, and the competence she displays in performing it, is great to see.

It’s a fun routine which we really enjoyed watching, I’m not sure on the lifts or the ending, but I’m going to give her a well deserved 7.

Craig: 7 “This dance does suit the smaller-type person…lovely clean finishes…wasn’t fond of the dismount in the second lift”
Darcey: 6 “It’s so great to see you having fun on that dance floor…follow it through [to the hips]”
Len: 7 “You little munchkin…you come out and give it some welly…full on and flat out…I liked it”
Bruno: 7 “You blossomed tonight…your confidence was visible…got to get these saucy hips…don’t be shy”

Total = 27

Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev – Viennese Waltz

Bit too much faffing around at the start for my liking, and Fern almost loses her balance during the first dip. In fact it’s 55 seconds (of a 1 1/2 minute routine) before they even get into hold and start dancing!

It’s a very sweet routine and Artem looks like he adores her.

I can’t help feeling that her actual Viennese is lacking, probably explaining why Artem only did 30 seconds of it, and her head is held a little too high which shortens her neck.

I would have liked to have seen more work gone into her dancing in hold, and less on time filling, and I’m pretty sure she wasn’t coming forward with a heel lead. On that basis I can only really give her a 6, though I thought the emotion displayed by them both perfectly encapsulated the feel of the song.

Craig: 6 “Keep your left shoulder down…but I thought the flow around the floor was fantastic”
Darcy: 6 “You give us such a beautiful feeling when you dance…make sure you keep it smooth…follow through [with your arms]…believe in yourself and the confidence will follow”
Len: 6 “A bit of wafting going on early on…it was better than last week…on the way up”
Bruno: 6 “Sometimes you look like you’re casually dusting [with your hands]…you come alive when you’re in the arms of your strappy young man”

Total = 24

Richard Arnold & Erin Boag – Cha Cha Cha

Well that’s an interesting quiff…think there’s definitely going to be a bit more ‘personality’ in this routine!

I’m afraid Richard that Erin’s right…it is more of a mince then a Cha Cha but it’s definitely livelier. Shame he goes out of time at the start of the New Yorks.

Again I would have preferred more Cha Cha in the routine and a slightly less camp approach. Technique was fairly awful with the pelvis the furthest thing forward a lot of the time. Just a 5 for me, like Nicky just not enough good Cha Cha

Craig: 3 “I wasn’t entirely convinced that you wanted to take Erin to a Love Shack…those Cha Cha Cha walks darling do really belong in a drag show”
Darcey: 6 “This is the Richard I wanted to see…create some tension in the arms…she needs you to lead her”
Len: 5 “Loud and proud, and that’s just your shirt…your arm was either on your hip or hanging down like a bit of cotton from a knicker leg…you’re a better dancer than having to just camp it all up…little bit over the top”
Bruno: 5 “Tonight you’ve got a split personality…it was the weirdest Cha Cha…in a sick way I enjoyed it”

Total = 19

Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole – Foxtrot

Oh dear, a mistake right at the beginning, can she recover better than she did last week?

Once she gets in hold it starts to improve, though you have to question why Brendan didn’t play it safer this week to help build her confidence up.

Her head angle is all wrong, but then Brendan was forcing it into a strange position during training, she needs to extend more.

The main problem with this routine is caused by the fact that she appears to be practising in lace-up practice shoes, then having to perform in court shoes. Brendan is giving her spins that she’s finding impossible to balance during in her performance shoes. They need to either be training in those shoes or seriously simplify the routine and keep her more in hold.

Brendan has to start choreographing more sympathetically as two weeks of live mistakes is going to seriously dent her confidence. A better performance than last week, with some promising signs, but still a massive gap she has to make up to catch up with some of the other contestants.

Too many mistakes and bad lines, only a 5 – still an improvement on last week, she finished the routine!

Craig: 6 “You remembered it so that’s a very good start…well done”
Darcy: 6 “The nerves have gone…wonderful to see…watch your fingers”
Len: 7 “Clean, classy, confident, a fantastic improvement on last week…transitions in and out of hold a little bit unstable…what an improvement”
Bruno: 7 “Back in the race…got to work on your turns…you don’t spot…improvement is great”

Total = 26, can’t help feeling the judges comments are to protect rather than criticise as I imagine her confidence is in a pretty fragile start at the moment. Over-marked for me I’m afraid.

Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe – Jive

Why oh why do we need to have props? Completely pointless for the start of the routine.

Looks promising to start off with then you realise Michael’s completely out of time with the music, and just keeps getting faster as Natalie moves round him…his hanging basket’ll have no flowers left at this rate.

It seems Natalie decided against giving Michael any Jive basic and instead decided to just have him shake manically in between flinging her around.

On the plus side he doesn’t drop her and certainly keeps the energy up. There are a few hints of actual Jive in there but it really is a complete frenzy of madness. ‘A’ for effort, but my head says 3.

Craig: 2 “That has to be one of the oddest Jives I think I’ve ever witnessed…your hips seemed to have a mind of their own…you looked like you were busting for a wee”
Darcy: 5
Len: 4 “It had a bit of gusto and enthusiasm…there was a lot going on, unfortunately it was mostly bad!”
Bruno: 4 “Oh my God you were like a wild goose, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such bad footwork…unbelievable, the timing was so bad, it was good…you couldn’t do it worse”

Total = 15

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Viennese Waltz

Louis has a nice frame though the head position just needs to be slightly adjusted, he seems to cock his head on a regular basis. Also needs to put some shaping in those fingers.

It feels a bit skippy and not as smooth as you really need to see in a Viennese, and the bum sticks out on occasion. A few hints of a smile at times but would like to see more from him.

Showing some of the potential I think Louis is capable of, there’s still room for improvement but I think he’ll score well…especially from Darcey! 7 for me.

Craig: 7
Darcey: 7 “I like it, you’re calm, you’re confident…I do need an emotional connection between you and Flavia”
Len: 8 “I saw more turns than the government…I saw great posture…I saw the best dance I’ve seen tonight, or last week”
Bruno: 8 “Well I felt it…you make such a lovely pair…the ending was delicious…best dance so far”

Total = 30

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Jive

Denise managed to get whiplash from their Jive during training so it’ll be interesting to see how she copes with performing.

Well this is one fast Jive and instantly brings back memories of Jill Halfpenny, one of the best Strictly performances ever!

I think she could just point her toes more when she kicks, and have a slightly smaller back step. Starts to visibly tire near the end but the best performance of the night so far for me, an 8!

Craig: 8 “Now for the truth darling…FAB-U-LOUS”
Darcy: 8 “Wowee…you got the style of the Jive instantly…amazing”
Len: 8 “Tutti Frutti, what a bootie…that was my cup of tea…full-on, it had attack…disappointed last week, this week I’m delighted”
Bruno: 8 “That’s my girl…God she was going for it…stylistically it was brilliant…that’s the way we like to see a Jive”

Total = 32

Johnny & Iveta – Foxtrot

Johnny feels a bit too static at times but Ballroom is definitely more suited to him.

Would like to see more rise and fall, and the bum tucked in, but he does a good job.

I think Johnny is unfortunately probably near his talent threshold based on these first two dances, but you never know he could surprise me.

A nice performance, but unfortunately just that, nice. Only a 5 from me.

Craig: 5 “Splayed hands on the back…gapping, largely due to your posture…decent effort”
Darcey: 5 “Wonderfully better than last week, just work on the top line”
Len: 5 “What you do, you do with enthusiasm…ok your posture could be a little bit better, your footwork could be cleaner…I thought you did very well”
Bruno: 5 “You set up the scene very well…out of hold you hit some very nice lines…in hold you stiffened up and you didn’t flow”

Total = 20

Sid Owen & Ola Jordan – Salsa

Sid really shouldn’t stick his beer gut out when he walks…or at least that’s what it looks like as he’s walking onto the floor – chest first Sid – and keep those palms down.

Some nice shaking and a good initial lift.

Richard was aiming for camp, Sid unfortunately appears to be hitting it quite accurately at times.

Could keep the footwork more compact and a completely unnecessary handstand, but he’s smiling throughout and some generally good sequences and strong in the lifts. A 6 for me though.

Craig: 6 “Bitty, fragmented…on the bright side loved the routine…hip rotation…lot of good in there”
Darcey: 6 “Nerves are gone, you’re relaxed…generally partnered Ola brilliantly”
Len: 5 “Salsa…Kingston, Jamaica – this was more like Kingston-upon-Thames…you’re as good as you are just get out there and give it some more”
Bruno: 5 “The good thing is the Sid Vicious attitude…but because of the attitude you disguised an incredible amount of mistakes”

Total = 22

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Foxtrot

She’s acting the opening well, just don’t drop the head when leaning to camera.

Frame’s a little off at times and there’s quite a bit of gapping. Can’t work out whether there’s supposed to be all those Ronde’s (in which case they’re really bad) or whether she just keeps lifting her foot off the floor as she turns around…also bad.

It’s such a fast routine as well, with a few slip ups creeping in as the complexity increases. Almost doesn’t manage to complete her underarm turn at the end. Another celeb let down by an overly complicated routine, showed real promise at the start but messy by the end…6.

Craig: 7 “I thought it was absolutely gorgeous…only thing that did bother me was your jaw, overly protruding forward”
Darcey: 6 “Beautiful mood you created…top line gets a bit soft…watch the gapping between the two of you…very nice Foxtrot”
Len: 6 “I thought it was limp…wasn’t enough conviction…you were hanging on…for you it’s got to be more than enough”
Bruno: 7 “I loved the setup, I loved the style, I loved the performance…I thought the whole thing looked very, very pretty”

Total = 26

Jerry & Anton – Foxtrot

Jerry looks like she’s being flung around at the start and things don’t really improve once they’re in hold. She needs to extend away from Anton in hold (think of them forming a ‘Y’ shape with the top half of their bodies).

Doesn’t appear to know what to do with her hands out of hold and another pairing where a height difference is causing an issue.

A mistake in the corner before a knicker shot to finish. Definitely more dancing than last week, would like to see her now work on her posture to improve, a 5 from me.

Craig: 3 “Looked like Anton was dancing with Mr Burns from the Simpsons”
Darcey: 5 “You have worked harder…start with this beautiful posture but you do lose it”
Len: 5 “You want to give the others a chance, you’ve accomplished that for sure!…I liked the mix of steps, your problem is you’re too vertical…got to stretch out”
Bruno: 5 “Stuck on you like Velcro…I’m waiting for more”

Total = 18

Lisa & Robin – Cha Cha Cha

Not sure on the ‘Mars Attacks’ arms as she walks on but once they start dancing with each other the arms dramatically improve with a wonderful finish to each move.

I was concerned in training that her basic Viennese wasn’t going to go well, but she actually does a very good job.

There’s some wonderful choreography really fitting the music well, shame there’s a slight hand mishap at one point.

Another excellent performance, don’t think it quite pips Denise for me but much better than expected, 7.5!

Craig: 7 “Thought you danced it with great dexterity, it was light which I didn’t expect”
Darcey: 6 “I love the focus in your eyes from the very beginning…you do try a bit hard in the transitions and you grab your man, let him grab you”
Len: 6 “Out of hold I thought you were fabulous…in hold you’ve got to work on – come and see me after the show, I’ll explain it”
Bruno: 6 “We’re always getting full-on entertainment…sometimes you were so into it, it looked like you were leading him…needs to be much more refined”

Total = 25

So that puts the final leader board after week 2 as (my combined score in brackets):

1. 27 + 30 = 57 – Louis & Flavia [6 + 7 =13]
1. 25 + 32 = 57 – Denise & James [7 + 8 = 15]
3. 30 + 25 = 55 – Lisa & Robin [7 + 7.5 = 14]
4. 28 + 26 = 54 – Kimberley & Pasha [7 + 6 = 13]
5. 21 + 27 = 48 – Dani & Vincent [6 + 7 = 13]
5. 26 + 22 = 48 – Sid & Ola [7 + 6  = 13]
7. 23 + 24 = 47 – Colin & Kristina [5 + 6 = 11]
8. 19 + 24 = 43 – Fern & Artem [5 + 6 = 11]
9. 16 + 26 = 42 – Victoria & Brendan [3 + 5 = 8]
10. 22 + 19 = 41 – Richard & Erin [5 + 5 = 10]
11. 17 + 20 = 37 – Johnny & Iveta [5 + 5 =10]
12. 18 + 18 = 36 – Jerry & Anton [5 + 5 = 10]
13. 17 + 18 = 35 – Nicky & Karen [6 + 5 = 11]
13. 20 + 15 = 35 – Michael & Natalie [6 + 3 = 9]

Aside from Darcey getting a bit too excited about Louis’ performance last week, and Victoria getting some sympathetic marking, the final positions look fairly close to my own marks.

I think we could see Jerry & Michael in the bottom two this evening.  Michael unfortunately lacks some of the charisma of past cricketers so may not have as avid a fan-base, and I’m not sure how Jerry will go down with the voting public – even with all of Anton’s usual fans. Nicky, however, should be saved by Westlife fans.

If you’re ready for the results…read on!

The first couples safe were as follows:

Nicky & Karen
Denise & James
Lisa & Robin
Louis & Flavia
Fern & Artem
Kimberley & Pasha

First couple in the dance off is Johnny & Iveta

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Len singing along to Denise’s ‘Tutti Frutti’ song
• Kisses from James, Denise and then almost Brucie for Craig
• Darcey licking a tissue and wiping lipstick off of Craig’s cheek
• Richard’s facial expressions
• Bruno ‘in pain’ during Michael’s Jive
• Artem telling Fern to change…ventriloquist-style

Other couples safe are:

Colin & Kristina
Victoria & Brendan
Dani & Vincent
Sid & Ola
Jerry & Anton

That leaves Michael & Natalie, or Richard & Erin as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Johhny & Iveta in the dance off is Richard & Erin.

Well that’s a surprise!

Out of these two I’m afraid I think Johnny will be going home but there’s still the dance off with the potential to save them.

Richard & Erin – Cha Cha Cha

There is actually slightly less mince in his forward locks this time, and his timing is spot on into the New Yorks.

Unfortunately it goes wrong on the stage but they manage to recover.

Johnny & Iveta – Foxtrot

I wouldn’t have thought of this song as a Foxtrot, the original is more of a Cha Cha rhythm for me.

Johnny goes out of time early on and if goes a bit to pot once they’re in hold. Unfortunately it’s a worse performance than their first one and I think that signifies the end for Johnny…and I think he knows it.

Judges Votes

Craig: Richard
Darcey: Richard
Len: Richard
Bruno: Richard

Richard: 4
Johnny: 0

Going Home: Johhny Ball; Aliona won’t compete again until the Christmas Special!

Johnny: “I hadn’t done a run as bad as that one as I did there…I think for my age I did quite well…this girl is absolutely wonderful”

First couple out, do you agree or would you have sent someone else home?

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 2 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

On Tuesday’s show they featured Sid & Ola, Fern & Artem and Lisa & Robin along with the return of Karen Hardy’s Choreography Corner.

Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev

Fern reveals that her skirt ‘wafting’ was due to her inability to know what to do with her hands.

It seems Artem has calmed down from his ‘Dancing Terminator’ training footage from previous seasons, though how long nicey nicey Artem will stick around as the series develops.

Fern has Viennese Waltz this weekend and is already preferring it to the Cha Cha Cha, I’ll look to training footage later this week.

Choreography Corner

Let’s hear Karen’s thoughts on the weekend choreography:

Denise & James’ Waltz

The great thing about this…the smoke on the floor…no one could see her feet…Len thinks she can go all the way so goes straight for the feet

Colin & Kristina’s Cha Cha

He made the dance his…facial expressions, energy…if you’ve got it, move it, and that’s what he was doing…I thought he was brilliant

Michael & Natalie’s Waltz

Started with his hands behind his back…great choreography by Natalie…[however his frame] does start to drop again

Nicky & Karen’s Waltz

You only lower and prepare for a lift!…a little slap, we don’t want to see that again…another good contender for a long stay in the show

Victoria & Brendan’s Cha Cha

Some great content, absolutely brilliant…when she melted it all went to pieces…has to think that Brendan is her bicycle…don’t be distracted

Fern & Artem’s Cha Cha

The cuban breaks…slow and quick timings…got it all wrong…I think she could be a dark horse

Louis & Flavia’s Cha Cha

It’s bit flat footed, makes it look heavy…we’re looking for the use of feet, ball of foot to flat foot…I just think he’s got big feet…one of the best hip actions out there

Kimberley & Pasha’s Cha Cha

The legs are bent throughout…impossible to create hip action with bent legs…I thought she delivered a spotless performance…a nice performance, need it to be a little bit more dangerous

Dani & Vincent’s Waltz

As she turns away her eyes are looking down, and then she goes all wobbly…got to look out

Johnny & Iveta’s Cha Cha

What’s so great is they’ve used the ‘Red Herring’ affect…showing her off…distracted [from Johnny]…[I loved] his energy…very proud of him

Jerry & Anton’s Cha Cha

Great thing is when she’s in the arms of Anton…when we hit the ballroom dances she could potentially look very good…divine, glorious, glamorous woman

Richard & Erin’s Waltz

High toes, heel leads…footwork in the early days is very difficult…footwork is the foundation of movement

Lisa & Robin

Zoe: “Are you still on a high”
Lisa: “Absolutely…I never thought it would get the reaction that it did”

The music was the key, fun and camp suiting them down to the ground.

Lisa has just finished filming Waterloo Road, but had previously been training in the morning, shooting 5 hours, then additional training in the evening – quite the punishing schedule!

They show a VT of Lisa ‘having’ to practice the Robin body stroke section again…and again…and again…as Lisa says ‘I love my life”.

Lisa has Viennese Waltz this weekend, which I think could prove to be more difficult dance for her.  Robin knows there’ll be more pressure on them now after finishing top at the weekend, but hopes they will do well.

Sid Owen & Ola Jordan

Sid: “First show, very nerve wracking, but I did get a bit emotional”.

Sid & Ola were overwhelmed and surprised by the good comments they received, especially after the harsh comments the judges were handing out on the Friday show.

It’s always difficult for the guys to keep their heads to the left, and most find their heads drifting towards their partner, but I’m sure Ola’s constant nagging will start to pay off – I know it does with my students (many of them hear me shouting ‘left’ at them inside their heads when I’m not around they tell me).

Salsa at the weekend could be a more difficult dance for Sid, depending on how loose his hips are.

A quick update on James’ broken nose, his doctor has given him the all clear thankfully.

So that’s episode 2 of 55 out of the way, Albert Hall for the International Ballroom Dance Championships tonight so don’t expect Wednesday/Thursday until early tomorrow I imagine.

The post It Takes Two – Tuesday 9th October appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Going forward I’ll probably just do a Monday analysis of the weekend show as certainly the whole of October is going to be difficult for me to watch the show live.

On to Saturday’s show:

Kimberley & Pasha – Cha Cha Cha

It’s a confident start with some nice hip action though she does look unsteady on her feet at points. I’d like to see her use the floor a bit better as her action feels a bit harsh and forced at times.

I can’t quite tell if she makes a mistake during her natural top but it certainly looks that way.

Overall a good start to the show though and I think I’ll give her a 7.

Craig: 7 “Finally some dance talent…incandescent”
Darcey: 7 “You gave us the WOW factor…strengthen that core [to improve the hip action]”
Len: 7 “I’m going to call you nimble Kimble…little bit more pressure through the floor…fantastic impression”
Bruno: 7 “You definitely know how to sell it…did it beautifully…[need to develop] better hip action”

Total = 28

Sid & Ola – Waltz

Sid looks a little uncomfortable at the start but once they get together he seems to relax into it. It’s a nice elegant start though he still has a tendency to come down on the heel too early on steps such as his chasse, which is a shame as his rise and fall is generally quite good.

Some nice pivots though the heel feels a little too pronounced. It’s great to see how emotional he is at the end, really shows how much he gave to that performance.

A very nice Waltz I think I’m going to give him an 7.

Craig: 6 “Arms when placed were a little bit plonky…thumb needs to be tucked under…great movement around the floor…fantastic storytelling”
Darcey: 6 “You presented yourself so well…great intensity…I’m going to love watching you every week”
Len: 7 “You scrub up well…bit dainty [to start]…[once you got started] it had good movement…footwork was pretty good…right shoulder keeps leading”
Bruno: 7 “I cannot believe it…I was expecting a rugged thug…intensity, correct posture, erection…created the mood so well…footwork wasn’t bad at all”

Total = 26

Johnny & Aliona/Iveta – Cha Cha Cha

Unfortunately Johnny starts out of time and there’s is a distinct lack of technique which I’m afraid to say is unsurprising. He definitely looks to be enjoying himself though I think Craig will complain about him singing along!

Johnny would have benefited from a Waltz as his first dance but full marks for trying. He has some good hand placement and shaping at times, even if they are flung out slightly, unfortunately the rest of the time they do tend to hang there like wet fish.

A noble effort and for me a 5.

Craig: 3 “Never really been a big fan of miming…very distracting…looked like you had a disorder of the nervous system…little bit more fluidity would be good”
Darcey: 5 “Great energy…you surprised me…your weight is always on your heels [bring it forward over the toes for better hip action]”
Len: 5 “All a bit ‘last of the summer wine’…you had good timing…plenty of content…lot of people [your age] would want to get out and move like that”
Bruno: 4 “I think you failed the MOT…on the plus side you completed the lap…looking forward to seeing your ballroom”

Total = 17

Dani & Vincent – Waltz

I thought Dani looked really promising in training, so let’s hope she can live up to it.

Needs to keep her head a little straighter when she leans to one side or the other as she looks like she’s collapsing a little at the moment, also needs to make her chasse action smoother.

There’s some very nice extensions but the routine is so fast that she does skip through large chunks of it. A good start but room for improvement, a 6 from me.

Craig: 5 “You need to extend your leg fully…when you spin don’t spot the floor…thought you had a beautiful back”
Darcey: 5 “I was impressed with your travelling…imagine you have the most beautiful necklace on [to improve your head posture]”
Len: 6 “Work on [the detail]…spins on your own were a little bit wobbly…thought it was very nice”
Bruno: 5 “Smile, enjoy the occasion…all the tension you create stops the movement & flow…get a little anxious and you start skipping like a little kangaroo”

Total = 21

Lisa & Robin – Cha Cha Cha

Already I’m smiling and they’ve only just started dancing! Some really good energy and great use of the arms. The whole routine is fun and really well acted.

Would like to see some more hip action but I think the speed of the routine works against them for that. Brilliant ending with Robin jumping up for Lisa to hold him up.

A great performance and a 7 from me.

Craig: 8 “YOU CAN DANCE!”
Darcey: 8 “I love someone who can take risks…a great and amazing end…you’re going to be a joy to watch during this show”
Len: 7 “You’re a funky monkey…flat out and fun…like a fizzy bottle of cola…what it lacked in technique it made up for in energy and fun”
Bruno: 7 “That was grand, big, beautiful entertainment…never seen people so happy”

Total = 30, highest score of the weekend so far, I’m still smiling so it was that good!

Richard & Erin – Waltz

Richard looks like a classic Ballroom dancer at the start, until he starts moving – need to make sure you keep that bum in Richard.

Feet should remain in contact with the floor throughout the dance, and needs to make his rise and fall smoother. Loses timing but manages to regain it, shame about the ‘ventriloquist dummy’ face though, need to relax the features a bit too.

It’s a nice dance though, however just a 5 from me I think.

Craig: 5 “Thought the smile was actually very lovely…very romantic routine…transitions are a little bit lumpy…but a good effort”
Darcey: 5 “I missed the real Richard in that routine”
Len: 7 “Your footwork was the best of any Waltz I’ve seen…your posture was ok…you can’t make a Waltz into a Cha Cha”
Bruno: 5 “What happened to you…looked like you were in a trance or sedated…bit boring…kind of nice-ish, wasn’t brilliant”

Total = 22

Jerry & Anton – Cha Cha Cha

When I saw Jerry on the premiere show I was concerned her routines could feature lots of gratuitous posing, looks like I might have been right.

Anton’s too short for her which is causing Jerry to stoop down to him, and there’s not enough pressure going through the floor resulting in very little hip action.

I found the whole routine quite boring for a Cha Cha, especially when you’re following a routine like Lisa’s, and the ending was just…strange.

Fairly uninspiring and just a 5 from me.

Craig: 3 “Taken minimal to whole new level, awful lot of wiggling”
Darcey: 5 “You have the ability…dance more…we know you’re stunning when you pose Jerry”
Len: 5 “A little bit careful…I want to be excited…next week excite me”
Bruno: 5 “You are a glamour-zon…the little bit of Cha Cha Cha that there was, was actually good”

Total = 18

Louis & Flavia – Cha Cha Cha

Some interesting pouting but the hand and arm movements are a little bit too wavy at the start, and he really needs to develop better shaping of the hands later on.

He’s obviously worked on his hip action, now we just need to liven up the face to match.

The footwork could use some improvement, and I was about to comment on his lack of cuban heels when I saw the ending which would have been much more challenging in cuban heels!

Not a bad start but needs to liven up and work on his technique, a 6 from me.

Craig: 6 “A little bit awkward at times…I thought you could have used your face a little bit more”
Darcey: 8 “I can see you’re using muscles you haven’t used before, and that’s saying something for a gymnast…in my eyes I think you’re going to go far on this show”
Len: 6 “It wasn’t a gold medal performance…a tad loose in places”
Bruno: 7 “I like a guy with plenty of tricks up his sleeve, you snake-hipped wonder”

Total = 27

So that puts the final leader board after week 1 as:

1. 30 – Lisa & Robin
2. 28 – Kimberley & Pasha
3. 27 – Louise & Flavia
4. 26 – Sid & Ola
5. 25 – Denise & James
6. 23 – Colin & Kristina
7. 22 – Richard & Erin
8. 21 – Dani & Vincent
9. 20 – Michael & Natalie
10. 19 – Fern & Artem
11. 18 – Jerry & Anton
12. 17 – Nicky & Karen
12. 17 – Johnny & Iveta
14. 16 – Victoria & Brendan

These scores will carry over to next week, so Victoria’s going to have to work extra hard to get her routine right this time round, or face the dance off.

Look for our daily analysis of It Takes Two (first one coming up shortly), and next week’s analysis on Monday.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s show.

The post Strictly Come Dancing Week 1 Day 2 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

I’ve decided to analyse them all in one big post rather than 14 individual entries so that you can directly compare all of the pre-show training.

Kimberley & Pasha – Cha Cha Cha

So Kimberley & Pasha are doing a Cha Cha for their first dance. Interesting that Kimberley is wearing trainers in her early rehearsals, I hope they’re dance sneakers and not regular trainers otherwise she’s risking an early injury.

Kimberley looks quite natural in her hip action which is a good sign and she definitely looks like she could perform on the night.  It’s also good to see that Pasha is confident enough in her ability to start working on how she uses the floor – those that come to our Wednesday night technique classes should take note at 1.38 to see what we talk about in action.

Overall I’m confident in my initial prediction that Kimberley and Pasha should be one of the front runners early on.

Richard & Erin – Waltz

Richard could potentially do quite well in the Waltz, but he does have to watch his head position, you don’t want to look like you’re trying to listen to your shoulder like he does around 10 seconds in.

Also I’d like to see a bit of rise and fall on steps like his [I think] weave at 47 seconds as he’s completely flat at the moment, but it’s early days and I’m sure Erin’s been working him hard

Louis & Flavia – Cha Cha Cha

I felt in the Premiere group dance that Louis looked a little stiff so it’s good to see Flavia working so hard on his hip action, and it does look like he might be able to get his wiggle on this weekend.

Plenty of beginners that we see are surprised how much muscles hurt that they didn’t know they had after they start learning to dance. As Flavia says, although Louis is a fit and muscly gymnast, dancing requires a different usage of the muscles he has.

Louis does have a chance of doing very well in this competition if he can keep improving from this early footage, let’s just hope his body can hold up!

Fern & Artem – Cha Cha Cha

Fern is looking nice and smooth in her hip action at the moment, which bodes well, and some of these early moves are looking promising.

Shame there’s not really more dancing in this video for me to comment on though.

Nicky & Karen – Waltz

Nicky needs to make sure that his last step of the chasse is toe to flat rather than coming down early and using a heel.

He looks to have good extension in his arms, but I’m hoping that lifts aren’t going to feature too heavily in the routine as that should really be American Smooth territory.

Lisa & Robin – Cha Cha Cha

Lisa needs to watch that she keeps her shoulders down when she’s dancing but it’s good to see her hips are nice and loose already.

She’ll need to watch her facial expressions once she starts performing but I think it could be entertaining, just hopefully not too much disco Robin!

Colin & Kristina – Cha Cha Cha

Thankfully Colin is looking a little bit more comfortable with the dancing than he did during the Premiere. I don’t understand why they didn’t give him a taller partner, Latin won’t be affected as much as the Ballroom – I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a bum sticking out problem when they get the Ballroom side of things.

He still needs a lot of work on his technique but his rhythm is looking good.

Dani & Vincent – Waltz

I’m pretty sure that’s South Hill Park Arts Centre they’re training in as well, we’ve done some workshops in there, a nice little studio.

I’m liking Dani’s movement and her lines at the moment, she might not be looking forward to the Waltz but I think she could do really well based on this video.

Sid & Ola – Waltz

Sid has the same problem as Nicky with his chasse at the moment, using his heel on the fourth step rather than coming down on the toe, so we’ll see if that’s been ironed out by the time they come to perform.

Looks quite good during the pivots, but that is with a relaxed hold, I don’t think he’d be quite as successful in the ballroom hold trying that at the moment.

Victoria & Brendan – Cha Cha Cha

Victoria should have a good training mentality but I’m not sure how ‘Latin’ she’s going to be. Her initial training is looking good though she does need to remember TOTTY (Tits Over Toes Thank You) during those forward lock steps as it’s a bit pelvis first at the moment.

Johnny & Aliona & Ian Waite & Iveta Lukosiute – Cha Cha Cha

Johnny is not going to suit Cha Cha unfortunately I think, he really could have done with Waltz as his first dance. As I mentioned earlier in the week Aliona unfortunately went over on her ankle causing a hairline fracture and putting her out for 2-4 weeks. Ian jumped in to help out whilst the show found Johnny a suitable replacement (see below).

Jerry & Anton – Cha Cha Cha

Jerry definitely has a natural style and I think is actually more suited to the Cha Cha than Anton even! I think she could do quite a good dance, if the choreography does her justice.

Michael & Natalie – Waltz

Michael is going to struggle I think in the first couple of weeks as his balance doesn’t look great, but let’s hope he proves me wrong. If he can maintain a good frame though that will be half the battle.

Denise & James – Waltz

I thought from the first show that Denise showed a great deal of promise, and she’s looking good so far. Obviously needs to work on her top half position leaning out away from James, but they’ve worked on that extensively it seems.

All in all I think it promises to be a good first show and look for my analysis later tonight and tomorrow of each of their performances. Not all of the blogs are going to be live over the next few weeks as we have a lot of dance jobs on, but we’ll do our best.

Who’s got your early vote?

The post Strictly Training Video analysis appeared first on Learn To Dance.

The reveal show took place almost two weeks ago and although I watched it at the time, this is the first chance I’ve had to sit down and pencil in my thoughts on the pairings and what I expect from this year’s show.

On first look this seems like quite an exciting line-up with plenty of characters but personality will only get you so far in a dance competition, how they strut their stuff next week determines how far through the ‘journey’ we’ll see them go.

The pairings for Strictly 2012 come out as:
Fern Britton & Artem Chigvintsev
Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone
Victoria Pendleton & Brendan Cole
Sid Owen & Ola Jordan
Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer
Johnny Ball & Aliona Vilani
Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev
Jerry Hall & Anton Du Beke
Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor
Denise Van Outen & James Jordan
Michael Vaughan & Natalie Lowe
Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace
Richard Arnold & Erin Boag
Colin Salmon & Kristina Rihanoff

Some interesting pairings there but let’s see how the first look at their dance abilities shapes up.

So what do we learn from the above?

• Dani Harmer, Victoria Pendleton, Jerry Hall & Lisa Riley can click and wave their hands in time to the music.
• Nicky Byrne & Michael Vaughan don’t quite know how to fold their arms for camera but Johnny Ball knows how to choreograph his eyebrows!
• Denise Van Outen is looking good with her arms but Colin Salmon is currently at the ‘flinging’ stages of his career.
• Louis Smith is going to be able to lift Flavia and spin her round probably endlessly.
• Sid Owen really shouldn’t get into a live dance-off!
• Denise & Victoria can bring the attitude (Denise is definitely looking good at this early stage)
• Nicky Byrne knows how to thrust Michael Jackson style but Michael Vaughan mistakes the move for an invitation to jump past and whack one out the park.
• Both Kimberley Walsh & Dani can shake it whilst Jerry Hall is going to rely on a haughty stance.
• Lisa Riley & Richard Arnold are going to bring the comedy personas, as will Johnny Ball, but it’ll be interesting to see what Fern Britton’s experience from Strictly Christmas 2010 will bring to the table.
• If you were wondering why Louis was wearing dance sneakers rather than shoes you find out near the end (bet you didn’t even notice he wasn’t wearing dance shoes!)

Now that’s out of the way who are my early picks?

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer
Westlife fanbase could give Nicky an edge, but new girl Karen will have to get the British audience on her side after (I thought) going a bit OTT on the launch show

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev
Pasha settled in nicely last year with Chelsee Healey and Kimberley looks to have a nice movement to her.

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan
My front runners I think they could be the couple to beat this year, but it’s early days at the moment.

So that’s my thoughts, there’s already some training footage available so I will analyse the progress so far over the next few days.

I’ve tipped Denise & James to do well but do you agree?  Who are your forerunners, or who are you looking forward to seeing on the dance floor?

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Premiere appeared first on Learn To Dance.